23

THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, November 27, 2024 Page 23 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST – Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription, go to: https://massterlist.com/subscribe/ THE HOUSE AND SENATE:Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from budget vetoes by Gov. Maura Healey. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. $2.4 MILLION FOR SCHOOLS PLANNING EXPANDED SCHOOL DAYS OR SCHOOL YEARS (H 4800) House 133-24, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $2.4 million for grants to cities, towns and regional school districts for planning and implementing expanded learning time by making school days and/or school years longer. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $2.4 million was eliminated. “I am vetoing this item because funding is intended for 2024 summer month programming, which cannot be implemented at this point in the fiscal year due to the need for a spring application window,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. (A “Yes” vote is for the $2.4 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes $1.1 MILLION FOR STEM STARTER ACADEMY (H 4800) House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $1.1 million (reducing funding from $4.7 million to $3.6 million) for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) Starter Academy programs to be implemented at Massachusetts community colleges to benefit student populations identified by the department as having expressed a high level of interest in STEM majors and STEM careers but are underperforming on STEM academic assessments. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.1 million was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to an amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. “This budget sustains and adds substantial new funding across community colleges to support the goals of this program.” (A “Yes” vote is for the $1.1 million. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes $500,000 FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CENTER (H 4800) House 134-24, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $500,000 for the Massachusetts Information Technology Center, a secure state office building in Chelsea that houses multiple state agencies, including IT-centric operations for the Department of Revenue, the Department of Criminal Justice Information Systems and the Firearm Records Bureau. The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $500,000 was eliminated. “I am reducing this item to ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DON’T MISS THIS EVENT: MASSACHUSETTS IN THE TRUMP ERA - Following the presidential election, questions abound on many levels in Massachusetts about many federal policy priorities in healthcare, energy and immigration, bringing challenges on the state level. Will these priorities shift? Join MASSterList / State House News Service for a timely conversation on the potential impacts of the new administration on Wednesday, December 4 at the MCLE Conference Center (Downtown Crossing), 10 Winter Place, Boston. Networking 8 a.m., Program 9 a.m. to - 10:30 a.m. More information a t: https://www.eventbrite. c om/e/massachu - setts-in-the-new-trump-era-tickets-1083711563459?aff=oddtdtcreator CLEAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE (S 2967) - Gov. Healey signed into law climate/energy legislation that supporters say will make systemic changes to the state’s clean energy infrastructure which will help the state achieve its net zero emissions by 2050 goals, and also expand electric vehicle use and infrastructure, and protect residents and ratepayers. “Accelerating clean energy development will create good jobs, lower costs, attract more businesses to Massachusetts and grow our climatetech economy,” said Healey. “This legislation includes important provisions to lower energy costs for families and businesses, including expanding bill discounts to middle-class households and an amount consistent with my [budget] recommendation,” said Gov. Healey in her veto message. Supporters of the governor’s veto said the state signed an impact fee agreement in 1993 to pay the city of Chelsea $500,000 per year for 30 years, to cover the costs to the city of the new infrastructure that had to be built in to accommodate the new development. They noted the 30 years were up in 2023 and argued the $500,000 is no longer needed. (A “Yes” vote is for the $500,000. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes increasing access to clean energy measures that reduce customer expenses such as solar, heat pumps and electric vehicles. These reforms will also end the years-long delays for solar, wind and other critical electric infrastructure, which play a critical role in our ability to be a global leader in clean energy and climatetech.” “This legislation advances critical updates for the siting and permitting of clean energy infrastructure, ensuring a supportive and reliable electric grid and building out electric vehicle charging infrastructure, among so many other things,” said Rep. Jeff Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “By overhauling outdated state permitting and siting processes, the commonwealth aims to secure an equitable, accelerated buildout of clean energy generation and infrastructure that we need to reach our climate goals and power our electrified clean energy future.” “This comprehensive law is a reminder of the power Massachusetts has to advance groundbreaking climate solutions—no matter who is in power in D.C.,” said Sen. Cindy Creem (D-Newton), chair of the Senate Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change. “The law includes a wide range of policies that move us closer to net-zero emissions, including essential reforms to our gas system. By preventing gas investments that are both imprudent and contrary to our climate mandates, the bill will keep costs down and prevent wasteful spending of ratepayers’ hard-earned money.” $3.9 BILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (H 5100) - Gov. Healey signed into law a $3.9 billion economic development package that supporters say would make bold investments in life sciences, climate tech, AI and small businesses, “building on Massachusetts’ national leadership and creating an environment where businesses and workers thrive.” The package increases the annual tax credit authorization for the life sciences industry from $30 million to $40 million. Other provisions include $400 million for the MassWorks Infrastructure Program to support public infrastructure projects and create jobs; $150 million for library construction projects; $103 million for AI in systems across the state; $100 million for infrastructure improvements in rural communities; $21 million for resilience in agriculture and fishing; and $40 million for food science innovations. “Massachusetts is the best state in the nation to live, work, go to school, raise a family and build a future, said Healey. “That’s in large part due to our commitment to investing in cutting-edge industries that produce transformative innovations and make life better for people. The [bill] builds on this leadership, positioning us to the global hub for climate innovation and applied AI, while also growing our already world-renowned life sciences industry, culture and tourism sectors.” "From day one, we have set out to make Massachusetts the best place for individuals to pursue rewarding careers and for companies to start, scale and succeed,” said Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao. “The [bill] will help us achieve that vision. With this bill, we are positioning Massachusetts to lead for future generations.” “[We] celebrate the signing of the … economic-development bill, which provides vital support to key industries through the infusion of close to $4 billion into the state economy to ensure that the commonwealth remains competitive,” said Brooke Thomson, President and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts which represents 3,400 member businesses. “[We] believe the bill enhances Massachusetts’ ability to lead in sectors like life sciences, climate technology, advanced manufacturing and applied AI.” $3.2 MILLION FOR APPRENTICESHIP GRANTS – Gov. Healey announced $3.2 million in Grants for Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities in Workforce to 29 organizations to train and place 514 apprentices across the state. The grants, which include contract renewals and new awards, leverage more than $2 million in state funding complemented by remaining support from federal funds to train BHRC| SEE PAGE 25

24 Publizr Home